MEDIA RELEASE COVER-UP AND NEGLECT: VISA DELAY KILLED HAMID KAHAZAIE MORRISON MUST RESIGN; INQUIRY NOW The shocking revelations from leaked IHMS reports on the treatment of Hamid Kahazaie show the scale of medical negligence and departmental culpability in his death in the Mater Hospital in Brisbane in September. IHMS documents show that when Hamid presented to IHMS on the 23 August, he had already been suffering intermittent fevers for two days. It took a further 36 hours of deteriorating conditions before a recommendation was made on 25 August, for his medical evacuation to Port Moresby hospital. At 11.00am, 25 August, Hamid was reported to be “moaning in pain.” But, it took another day before he was flown to Port Moresby on 26 August, and yet another day before he was finally flown to Australia on 27 August. By then, he had been running a temperature of, at times, over 40 degrees for at least four days. “If Hamid had received the correct antibiotics when he first sought treatment; if he had been flown to Australia, at the first sign that the treatment was not working, he would likely be alive today. Even as his condition became critical, the Australian government delayed issuing a visa thereby preventing his transfer to Australia,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition. “Since Hamid’s death, Scott Morrison has deliberately and consistently misled the Australian public about Hamid’s medical treatment. He explicitly denied that Hamid had been mistreated, while the IHMS reports clearly show that he was – by IHMS and by the Australian government, “ said Rintoul. “Morrison claimed that Hamid had received ‘outstanding’ treatment. But, just like Morrison’s claim that Reza Berati was killed outside the Manus detention centre, the claim that Hamid received ‘outstanding’ treatment is a lie. Scott Morrison said in a press release, 5 September, “I can advise that the departments Chief Medical Officer is conducting an in-depth clinical review on the background to the transferees medical condition and care while at Manus OPC. This will be in addition to any medical review that will also be undertaken by the medical services provider, International Health and Medical Services…” “That too seems to have been a lie,” claimed Rintoul, “The inquiries have either never taken place or the Minister is covering them up. “Morrison has been deliberately deceived the Australian public. He has covered up both the medical negligence by IHMS and the role of his own department delaying Hamid’s transfer to Australia. “The responsibility for Hamid’s death ultimately lies with Scott Morrison. He should resign or be sacked. “There must be an immediate open inquiry into the Hamid’s treatment and the role of the Immigration department in that treatment. “Without an inquiry, the asylum seekers on Manus remain at risk. Infections are rife on Manus. One asylum seeker on Manus Island (photos attached) has been suffering an ear infection for four months, and is now deaf in his left ear. Doctors have warned the infection could spread. “Waiting months for the coroner’s inquiry is a recipe for more Hamids on Manus.” For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 14:14:13 +0000
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